Steps in the Car Manufacturing Process

The design and building of an automobile is a long process that can take approximately 72 months. It begins with sheets of metal. The building of a car often involves scrap metal that has been recycled. Classic cars were built by hand by artisans who took pride in their work. Today’s car is manufactured on an assembly line by robot. Here is the life of how an automobile is manufactured.

Step 1: The metal is delivered to the manufacturing plant and placed on an assembly line. Here, it is pressed and ironed by heat to the correct thickness for the needed part. It is then stamped into the correct auto part: door, fenders, roofs and hoods. This process is more precise because of the use of the robotic arms that measure each piece. The components are then stockpiled in a central location to be used on the different types of automobiles in the manufacturer’s line of automobiles.

Step 2: Now comes the welding process. Each piece is fitted into place and welded using high heat. This part of the process is handled mostly by robots. After each piece is welded into place, it is inspected to ensure that it meets all expectations. This is one of the hardest parts of the process because it involves not only the robot being programmed correctly but also depends on the inspector’s understanding when a piece “just doesn’t fit right.”

Step 3: The next part is the one that gives it a clean, shiny glow. The body of the car gets a nice, warm shower to wash away the dirt and grime of the assembly process. Then the car is whisked off to the painting line. It is painted 4 times; the primer is first. The car passes through a pool of paint that has electricity running through it. This prevents rusting. Stage 2 is the surface where grey paint is sprayed on so that the topcoat will have the same color throughout. Top coat is then sprayed onto every surface. The color is chosen by the customer. The last step in this process is the clear coat where the car gets its shiny finish.

Step 4: Now, the get-up and go is added. The engine which is made up of forged parts of metal as well as the casted material is assembled into the engine compartment. More than 500 parts of metal are used to make the engine and the suspension. We now travel further down the assembly line.

Step 5: The parts from the suppliers of the nuts and bolts being arriving. The suppliers only ship parts for the automobiles that are being produced. This saves space with unneeded parts hanging around. Each car manufacturer has their own procedure with procuring the supplies.

Step 6: Assembly is next where the body moves on a conveyor line and the parts are placed according to a certain set of instructions. If a problem is found, the belt stops and the problem is solved. This is an example of man and machine working together.

Step 7: Inspections are then performed and if the car passes all inspections then it is shipped to the car dealership and then the customer.

Scrap metal recycling can be useful for manufacturing cars. Metal car, tools, and other equipment is made from recycled metal. So, before you just throw away those metal pipes, old tools or even those metal cans, think about what else could be made from it. There are plenty of junkyards who take the metal and resell it. Think before you throw out trash.